Enter the pool at 5:30 AM, and you’ll see three time state champion, Faith Frantum ‘25 swimming, come again at 4:45 PM and you will see Frantum. Two practices a day, five times a week, two afternoons in the weight room, and every Saturday morning Frantum spends perfecting her stroke that earned her a Division 1 scholarship to the University of Iowa. What sounds grueling to some, is what keeps Frantum dedicated and accomplished.
“What keeps me going is knowing that I can accomplish so much, I just need to keep swimming and working hard to achieve my goals,” Frantum shared.
This mindset started at a young age, although Frantum’s love for the sport didn’t grow on her own.
“I started swim lessons when I was five years old and began swimming club when I was seven. My older sister is big into swimming, so my parents decided to put me in swimming as well,” Frantum explained.
Frantum’s swimming journey started with her sister, as they swam club together. Fast-forward to 2025, you’ll be able to catch both Frantum sisters swimming for the same team once again, the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“I am looking forward to having her there to push me again. I think that swimming with my sister will be a great experience and I look forward to it,” Frantum said.
Although not all dedication to Frantum’s love for swimming can be given to her family. She also recognizes her past and present, coaches and teammates.
“I have experienced coaches that have been hard on me and that taught me to work hard. I have also had multiple teammates over the years that have helped my love grow because I see them every day, and they are always there for me,” Frantum said.
With the given ability to work hard at the pool, day in and day out, Frantum reflects on what will drive her to swim and continue to compete at the collegiate level.
“I also wanted to continue my career because swimming has been the biggest thing in my life since I was little, and I want to finish my career at a higher level than high school,” Frantum shared.
Her relentless work from age 5 to now, 17, has blessed her with opportunities and a strong future. With graduation this year and as she heads to the University of Iowa next fall Frantum is expecting change.
“I am grateful for my coaches and teammates now, but I am also excited for a change and to have new coaches and teammates,” Frantum said.
With a change in the people that surround her, Frantum also looks ahead to what her season will hold.
“I am also excited to see how much more I can accomplish at a higher level once I have more opportunities to race people from all around the US and world,” Frantum said.
The excitement for her future is also what will fuel the remainder of her senior year. Swimming demands a lot from its athletes, time, endless hours in the lap pool, both mental and physical strength that contribute to performance.
“Swimming affects my everyday life because it is very time-consuming. I have 4 double practices a week. I spend my mornings before school at practice. I spend my evenings at practice. Weekly swimming takes up around 20-25 hours,” Frantum explained.
With swimming being a huge impact in Frantum’s life, that doesn’t necessarily mean Frantum identifies as just a swimmer or athlete.
“I don’t feel it is my whole life. I know that I am a person, and I am defined by athletic abilities. I enjoy doing activities outside of swimming,” Frantum said.
It could be easy for a Student Athlete to become overwhelmed and busy or wish things were a little different, which is not the case for Frantum.
“I don’t wish that any aspect of my swimming career was different. I feel like I am happy with what I have achieved and am excited for what my career will bring for me,” Frantum said.
As Frantum looks back on her rewarding career, all the practices, meets, titles and awards, she wants to influence other young athletes to keep going.
“My advice to young athletes would be to always work hard but make sure you are having fun. Swimming has its ups and downs, but lean on coaches and teammates because they are always there for you,” Frantum said.
